Understand your water use

Read meters at least daily to make sure you don’t have undetected leaks. One business site cut its water use by over 80% by detecting and fixing a large underground leak.

Benchmark your water use so you can see how much water you're using compared to others in your industry. Common benchmarks include litres per square metre (for buildings) or per unit of production (for manufacturers).

Fix leaks

Check for leaks in taps, pipes and hoses. One leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 litres a month! To reduce leaks in taps, turn your taps off lightly and replace washers as soon as they begin to leak.

Check that urinals and toilets are not leaking or flushing when not in use.

Implement water efficient processes

Use mops, brooms or a bucket to wash and rinse. Don’t use hoses to clean hard surface areas.

Encourage staff to rinse their dishes in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap. It's just as easy and effective.

Think about installing your own wastewater treatment system to recycle water and cut down on water bills.

Communicate with staff

Provide incentives for staff to save water by linking water conservation to staff performance reviews.

Ask your staff for water saving ideas - they know how they use water in your business. Follow up on ideas and report back on progress. Simple ideas from staff may save more water than you ever imagined.

Include water saving policies and procedures in staff training programs and talk about water conservation plans, opportunities and progress at staff meetings.

Communicate water saving ideas using bulletins, newsletters, emails or posters. Encourage people to send water saving ideas via email or suggestion boxes.

Did you know that over 85% of all water use in apartment blocks is within your control?

Where is water used in Sydney apartments?

How can you save water inside your apartment?

Showers - 45%

Take shorter showers

Install a water efficient showerhead

Minor leaks - 14% or more!

Act quickly as most leaks get worse over time. Maintenance and quick repairs are key to reducing the cost of leaks

Washing machines - 10%

Wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine

Look for a water efficient model when it's time to replace your current washing machine. Front loaders use less water and are gentler on your clothes

Toilets - 7%

Use the half flush on your toilet whenever possible

Check for leaks. Toilets are responsible for the most common, and the worst, leaks inside homes. A leaking toilet can waste over 16,000 litres of water a year!

Install a new 4-star dual flush toilet if you don't already have one

Kitchen taps - 5%

Turn the tap off if you don't need to leave it running

Check for leaks or drips and replace washers as soon as taps begin to leak

Install water saving devices in your taps

Basins and baths - 5%

Don't overfill your bath or basin

Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth, cleaning dishes or preparing food

Check for leaks and repair or replace old taps

Dishwashers - 1%

Wait until you have a full load before using your dishwasher

Look for a water efficient model when it's time to replace your current machine

Individual apartments

If you own an apartment and you're looking to fix leaks or install water efficient devices in your home, you can contact our licensed plumbers through our WaterFix® Residential plumbing service. For almost 20 years, we've helped our customers save over 300 million litres of water and reduce their water bills.

Large strata managed buildings

If you're a strata manager or you live in a residential strata managed building and are concerned about wasting water throughout all apartments in the building, WaterFix® Strata may be able to help.